Sir Bani Yas Island is one of the UAE's most extraordinary natural destinations — a large island off Abu Dhabi's western coast that Sheikh Zayed transformed from a desert island into a wildlife sanctuary in the 1970s. Today it hosts the region's largest wildlife reserve with over 13,000 free-roaming animals including Arabian oryx (once extinct in the wild), cheetah, hyena, giraffe, gazelle, and hundreds of bird species. Wildlife safari drives, kayaking in mangroves, and snorkelling are the main activities.
| Travel time | Full day |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Car to Jebel Dhanna ferry terminal (240km west on E10); ferry to island |
Suggested itinerary
- 06:30 — Depart Abu Dhabi by car (E10 highway west to Jebel Dhanna)
- 09:00 — Arrive Jebel Dhanna ferry terminal
- 09:30 — Ferry to Sir Bani Yas Island (30 minutes)
- 10:00 — Wildlife safari drive (2 hours — book in advance)
- 12:00 — Beach and snorkelling
- 13:30 — Lunch at island resort restaurant
- 15:00 — Mangrove kayaking (1.5 hours — book in advance)
- 17:00 — Ferry back to Jebel Dhanna
- 17:30 — Drive back to Abu Dhabi
- 20:30 — Arrive Abu Dhabi
Highlights
- Arabian Oryx — once extinct, now thriving on the island
- Wildlife safari drives with cheetah, giraffe, and hyena
- 4.5km of natural beaches
- Mangrove kayaking
- 6th century Christian monastery (one of the oldest in the Gulf)
- Snorkelling in clear Arabian Gulf waters
Tips for visiting
- Book wildlife safari and kayaking in advance — capacity is limited
- The island has overnight resort options (Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara) if making a two-day trip
- Arabian Oryx sightings are virtually guaranteed on the safari
- The Christian monastery excavation is a remarkable and unexpected historical discovery